Tag Archives: America

A Royal Afternoon Tea at The Pierre, New York

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It would be a challenge to find a prettier afternoon tea than the selection of treats served up at the Pierre Hotel. I have certainly never seen such an array… and I have tried an embarrassing number.

The Pierre Hotel is a picture of elegance and style… located on 5th Avenue at the tip of Central Park, it is the perfect stop off after a morning of shopping. We saved ourselves for this indulgent afternoon meal, barely letting a crumb pass our lips until 3pm so we arrived famished. I was thankful for our resisting as the feast that followed required a big appetite.

There are several teas on offer, but take my advice and pick the Royal Tea Service ($65-70) a fabulous assortment of sandwiches, scones and pastries accompanied by Demoiselle Champagne. From the extensive list of tea blends we chose Strawberry-kiwi and the unique Pierre Blend, both unusual but refreshing. The Strawberry-kiwi is sweet and strongly perfumed so if you prefer you’re tea lighter I’d recommend the perfectly balanced Pierre Blend. The Demoiselle Champagne is fiercely bubbly and is available as a rosé for those wishing to be really girly.

The food arrived on a three tiered dish, delicately arranged. The Pierre is generous with portions and variety giving little tasters with different flavours and textures.

Sandwiches etc:
Catskill smoked salmon on rye bread, balsamic onions & sour cream
American caviar & buckwheat blinis
Spiced chicken tartlet
Devilled eggs, brioche buns with red sorrel
Boursin cheese & Asparagus crostini with tomato jam
English cucumber with dill cream cheese
Dates & Babaganoush crepes

Freshly baked scones and butter cookies
Cranberry scones with Devonshire cream, Raspberry preserve and lemon curd.

Pastries:
Fresh fruit tartlets
Grand Marnier chocolate madeleines
Red cherry financiers
Walnut cream sugar squares
Lemon apricot sandwiches
Coffee opera cake
Lemon meringue tarts
Coffee & Strawberry Macaroons
Chocolate sand cookies

It is hard to believe that we managed to fit all this food on the table, let alone in our stomachs. Favourites for me were the Boursin & asparagus crostini and the Spiced chicken tartlet, but my guest preferred the Smoked salmon and crepes… each canapé was beautifully presented, carefully arranged with appropriate seasoning and toppings, they looked lovely all together on the plate. The scones were the best of the bunch, freshly baked and warm, they crumbled in the mouth, and smothered in thick cream and jam each mouthful encouraged the next. The pastry chef at the Pierre is clearly a perfectionist, each mini patisserie was carefully constructed to look as pretty as possible.

I thought afternoon tea was always best in Britain until I visited the Pierre, now I have to admit this version of the English classic meal is pretty impressive.

More information here.

Hotel Giraffe, New York

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We arrived very late at the Giraffe Hotel, exhausted from the flight and over-excited about our arrival in New York. I was massively relieved when we were greeted quickly by an understanding member of staff who allowed us upstairs to our room without extensive questioning. Though dark outside, the room still glowed luxuriously, a comforting retreat decorated in warm reds and browns. We collapsed into the giant plush bed and fell sound asleep despite the honking and hooting of cabs outside.

Giraffe Hotel is the first member from the family of Library hotels that we visited. Inspired by the architecture and design of the Art Moderne period, this hotel hopes to embody the power, grace and beauty found in the animal kingdom’s tallest member! The ‘look’ is classic and traditional but with an updated modern twist. Our room was heavenly, more of a suite with a large living area and huge bed, I felt sad we could only stay one night. Thoughtful touches could be found everywhere, a little box of chocolates and wine, lush plants adorning every corner and a little library of vintage books on the shelf. The list of complimentary amenities in the hotel is impressive and includes: passes to a nearby fitness centre, wine and cheese reception each day, selection of daily newspapers and high speed internet throughout the building.

We were most excited to hear about Hotel Giraffe’s recent role in Sex and the City: The Movie. Apparently the Piano Suite was transformed into Mr. Big’s apartment, a fact also mentioned during our special Sex and the City tour of Manhattan. It makes sense too, the rooms are characterful yet businesslike, perfect for adapting for films.

The downstairs grand lobby is a hub of activity: friends meet, guests mingle and visitors chat over coffee and bagels. We sat here for a while the next morning at a cute table by the window with lots of light, the perfect place for our map plotting and planning. Breakfast at the Giraffe is a relaxed help-yourself European style buffet, with endless coffee, cakes, croissants, fruit and cereal. All fresh and yummy and we had to restrain from gorging too much… it was definitely not a good idea to try every flavour of the mini madeleine cakes.

We were sad to say goodbye to the Giraffe so soon, this hotel offers a calm and comfortable place to refresh and restore whilst staying in this exciting city.

More information here.

http://www.hotelgiraffe.com/

The Wright restaurant, Guggenheim, New York

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Whether you are interested in art or not, a trip to the magnificent Guggenheim is a must when staying in New York. When I first visited the Big Apple I was in awe of this epic building, and so I couldn’t wait to return.

This time around I was lucky enough to discover the super stylish Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim. Serving up delicious food and sensational cocktails in a suitably artistic setting, it is the ideal place to dine pre or post exhibition viewing!

After a leisurely walk around Central Park in the sunshine, we collapsed into our seats at the Wright, nodding profusely when asked if we’d like a cocktail or not.

The food here is contemporary and confident, with an emphasis on fine ingredients and attractive presentation. With the chattering creatives surrounding us, we soon relaxed and felt completely at ease among all the ladies who lunch. I loved the atmosphere and could have spent the whole afternoon over our yummy lunch. Vibrant clementine orange martini glasses arrived, much to our delight, and we sipped on the cooling concoctions, the Wright (grey goose orange vodka, sweet vermouth, orange juice, Campari, club soda and orange twist) for me and the Park (Tanqueray Gin, Grand Marnier, Apricot Brandy, Orange Juice and Grenadine) for my chum. They looked almost identical mixed expertly to create smooth and flavoursome drinks.

The menu is clear and simple with bold flavours and high quality ingredients. My friend seemed absolutely delighted with her Sashimi Tuna, Avocado, Shishito Peppers and Wasabi Aioli, claiming it to be the best Sashimi she has ever tasted. The plate looked fresh and exciting, a careful selection of complementing colours and textures. I tried the Eggplant, Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Terrine dressed with Parsley and Balsamic. It was not what I was expecting, a slim and soft vegetarian terrine is a strange notion but miraculously it worked (once I’d accepted the idea) and the flavour and seasoning were well judged.

Feeling brave, we opted for two of the heavier main courses: Pappardelle Bolognese with Ricotta Mousse and Braised Short Rib with Spaetzle, Citrus Carrot Puree; both classic dishes but creatively reworked and adapted. The portions are generous and surprisingly filling (I was very disappointed when I couldn’t finish my bowl of pasta). The Bolognese sauce was rich and meaty and worked well with the thick pasta, although I found the ricotta mousse a little tart and would have preferred just grated parmesan on top. The braised beef was masterfully moulded into a cube structure and carefully placed with decoratively arranged accompaniments. It was wonderfully tender and aromatic but incredibly rich and probably too much for one person.

After lunch we were kindly escorted into the Picasso ‘Black and White’ exhibition for a look round the monochrome masterpieces, a sublime afternoon viewing after a heavenly lunch.

More information here: http://www.thewrightrestaurant.com/home/default.asp